Giving Thanks!

“I’m thankful for my wonderful wife. She is undeserved and a true gift. She gives me far more than she takes. Everything else, good or bad, I’ve earned.”
-- Claude Whitacre, The Sweeper Store

So once in every year we throng
Upon a day apart
To praise the Lord with feast and song
In thankfulness of heart
--Arthur Guiterman

“I’m thankful for family and grandchildren, health, and a supportive group of other vacuum professionals.”
--Alan Caras, The Vacuum Store of Los Gatos

“I am thankful for:
*my wonderful, supportive wife of 10 years!
*my wonderful three kids with whom I enjoy every day!
*my two best friends who own Don’s Vacuum Villa, and provide me with experiences I wouldn’t have otherwise.”
-- Corey Tenney, Don’s Vacuum Villa

“Thanksgiving is all about God, family, and friends. I am thankful for simply being alive, for my beautiful wife Nadine, for all the wonders life has to offer.”
-- Dean Petrosewicz, VCP International

“I’m thankful God brought me into being and throws enough adversity at me that I can appreciate and be thankful for the good stuff in life.”
-- Larry Moritz, AAVAC

“I’m thankful for the men and women in the armed services who defend this country. They give us the ability to do business in a free nation.”
-- Alex Giftos, Cadillac Vacuum Sales & Service

“Family, Family, Family!”
-- Butch Longaberger, Vacuum Center

“This year I am thankful for my new wife (as of 9/28/07), staying ahead as a full time student and while working fulltime, and my very supportive family that is encouraging me to achieve my goals.”
-- Benton Hunt, Neal’s Vacuum & Sewing

“I am thankful to my wife Annette and our four children for helping build the family business, to our customers for keeping us on track with their daily feedback, to our employees for their commitment and undying support, to our suppliers for coming up with new products and services, to our competition for keeping us on our toes, to our U.S. Armed Forces overseas who make it possible for all of us to enjoy the benefits of free enterprise at home, and to faith in God for making it all worthwhile.”
-- John Douthat, AllBrands.com

“I’m thankful to be working, living, and to know some of the members of the Vacuum Dealers Forum.”
-- Dan Jarzabowski, American Vacuum

“I am grateful that my son-in-law has returned home from duty in Iraq and that he, my daughter and grandson are together at last and moving on with their lives.”
--Steve Gardner, Steve’s Vac Shack

“I am thankful that our business is thriving. I am thankful for good health, good friends, wonderful family. I am thankful for all the people in this business willing to share on the VDF, and all the friends I’ve made at the conventions. I’m also thankful that I enjoy going to work every day and getting to work with my husband.”
-- Lynette Bullis, Jeff’s Vacuum Center

“I am thankful to be able to encourage and teach people in their businesses and homes! It is a blessing to be able to do what you love!”
-- Leslie Reichert, Vacuum Lady

“I am thankful for all my immediate family! Family is the most valuable thing we can have!”
-- Vincent Ciernick, A1 Central Vacuum

“I am thankful for a loving God in my life, a wonderful family, good friends, good health, the ability to work and help others, and to be an American!”
-- Lisa Corwin, Wincor, Inc.

“The U.S. Constitution begins with a statement that we “are endowed by (our) Creator with certain unalienable Rights.” To this Creator is where all thanks should be directed. Because we are not simply cosmic accidents of chance but rather purposefully created to serve our Creator, we humbly should serve one another. I am thankful for God’s love for me despite my failures. This industry, filled with other caring manufacturers, dealers and suppliers has provided an atmosphere that has allowed ingenuity to thrive. May God’s fingerprint of you apply the freedoms of this great country in a manner that you can impact other’s lives.”
-- Grant Olewiler, M.D. Manufacturing

“I am so thankful for having the good luck to win the lottery of life. To be born in America. To enjoy the freedoms that we all enjoy. To be able to take chances, win and loose, to speak our minds and to worship freely without fear of reprisals. I am also thankful that brave men and women are willing to sacrifice their lives to protect my freedoms. Without them, there is no freedom. I truly am blessed beyond all to be an American.”
-- Howard J. Anderson, Long View Retail Consulting

“I have so much to be thankful for this year. In June I sold my store, The Vacuum Cleaner Clinic. Dad had been wanting to move toward retirement and I longed to begin my full time career with Lindhaus USA. The sale of my store to Joseph Toto allowed this to be a realization. I am thankful to Al Carpenter of Lindhaus for his patience, friendship and trust for giving me the position of Southeast Regional Manager. I will dedicate my time to the independent floor care dealers in Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. I am also thankful for my wonderful wife Beth and for all her love and support in my life and career. I’m thankful for a miracle that our Lord bestowed upon me and my family. Earlier this year I almost lost my son Matthew in a drowning accident. It is a feeling that I will never forget, one that I live with everyday. It is nothing short of a miracle that he is still with me today. I cherish each day a little more. And last, but certainly not least I am thankful for my parents. It is because of them and their sacrifices that I have all that I have. My dad brought me up in the floor care business and in 1985 purchased The Vacuum Cleaner Clinic with his sons in mind. It is because of my dad, all his hard work, dedication, and sacrifice that I am where I am today.”
-- Dean Henson, Lindhaus USA

Reprinted from Floor Care Professional, November 2007